Land of Living Stories revisits 4 memorable characters and their bonds with Saskatchewan places

CBC's virtual road trip series Land of Living Stories explores the hidden gems across Saskatchewan. Reporter Laura Sciarpelletti once again hit the road in search of inspiring stories of community, heritage and good food. 

For three years now, CBC Saskatchewan's Land of Living Stories series has brought you to locations across the province.

It started as a virtual tour during the early days of the pandemic in 2020. It has since evolved into more than just a suggestion map for a road trip. It's a series about the people who take the time to share their favourite part of this province, from its natural beauty, to the many cultures that live here, to the histories of individual communities. 

Now CBC's virtual road trip is revisiting four of the series' most memorable characters to learn what has changed for them  — and the Saskatchewan places they harbour deep connections to — since we last spoke. 

We last spoke to Saskatoon resident Honey Constant-Inglis in October 2021 for our edition on traditional foods. At that time, Constant-Inglis was just leaving her job at Wanuskewin Heritage Park and embarking on a solo entrepreneur journey making traditional beaded jewlery. Beading has since become a rewarding business for her. 

"I'm just amazed with how much people are wearing my beadwork around the city. So when I see something that I created, I get like all fan-girly of the people who are wearing it," said Constant-Inglis. 

The Plains Cree woman does things with purpose, even when it came to naming her beading business, Honey Willow Creations. The 'willow' part comes from her connection to her family and the teachings of the red willow plant. 

"I think the first time I learned about the red willow plant and how to harvest it was when I watched my grandpa and my Mushum weave red willow baskets when I was about 16 years old," said Constant-Inglis. 

She said the traditional plant ties her to her family, trappers and her ancestors. 

"I held onto those teachings and that red willow is an invisible stream that connects me to those people, even though I didn't have the privilege of meeting them."

Constant-Inglis said place and connection to land are deeply important to her. 

"When I think of one place particularly that I love, it is my home reserve of Sturgeon Lake. I just have all of my best memories fishing … trying to make a hammock and falling. Sturgeon Lake is about 45 minutes north of Prince Albert and it's where the land, the prairie, meets the boreal forest. So I got to grow up with both worlds."

Constant-Inglis said having a connection to place is important because it can relieve stress and help you reset in a healthy way. 

"I have all of my core memories of learning how to garden, seeing my first snake, learning how to snare rabbits. It was all done in Sturgeon Lake. So it's a huge part of who I am and who I became," she said.